Letter – William Hutchinson to Francis Pewterer – 25 May 1732

      Barnard Castle the 25th May 1732

Sir,

I sent my Mill Agent, & one of my smelters, to view all the workings in Weardale. Thro them all not above 250 Bings laying, of a very poor kind & badly dressed, your Bayliff acquaints them, the yearly produce of the Mines may be about 1400 Bings, reckond at 40 shillings per Bing, at an average, would bee £309 per ann[um]. Now this being barly a supposition, the yearly produce of the Mines may be more or lesse. Therefore as to my own part, I can make noe other proposalle than a certaine price for every Bing I have delivered my Carryers, & If you are inclined to treate upon this footing, I’le make you my proposall for a yeare or a longer time as may be agreed on, Methinks there should be some way you may have the yearly quantitys the mines produce, theire pay-Bills make that appeare, &  noe doubt ther’s a Covenant in the Lease from  the Bisshopp for delivery of faire Coppys of all theire pay-Bills to the Bisshops Agents if required. I am assured Mr Mowbray has had the offer of these <dues>, & long before you writt mee , His refusalle gives me to think there may be insuperable difficultys in getting the Just Dues from the severall Mines & makes me somewhat timorous of engaging under such hasards, however the stepps I have taken can doe the Bisshopp noe harm, & if I can bee further serviceable that way, I shall be glad & ready to doe it from

      Sr your Most Obedt Humble Servt

      Wm Hutchinson



[addressed on reverse:] To Mr Pewterer at the  Castle Bishp. Auckland

[annotated to rear in a different hand, presumably that of Pewterer’s clerk:] 25th May 1732 Mr Hutchinson to Mr Pewterer

Will give 40 per Bing for the Lot Oar.